Greenhouse gas emissions have risen in Britain for the first time in almost a
decade despite efforts to tackle climate change.

The latest figures from the Department of Energy and Climate change show emissions rose by more than 3 per cent in 2010, the first increase since 2003.

The rise in carbon dioxide and other gases comes despite a swathe of Government policies to cut emissions, such as building wind farms and installing solar panels.

Ed Davey, the new Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said it was just a blip in the long term goal to halve emissions by 2025.

"One year won't knock the UK off meeting its long-term emission reduction targets, but it serves to underline the importance of the coalition's policies for insulating homes to cut bills and emissions and moving to greener alternative forms of energy," he said.

The rise in emissions was blamed largely on the UK coming out of a recession and the increase in gas use for heating homes in the face of cold weather at the beginning and the end of the year.

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Also more coal and gas was used during the year because of nuclear power stations closing down or being used less.

The increase came after a sharp fall in emissions in 2009 of almost a tenth in the face of the economic downturn, with the result that emissions in 2010 were still well below pre-recession levels.

But green groups said the figures, which are slightly worse than the provisional estimates for 2010 published last year, were a wake-up call for the Government.

Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, called for greater strides in home energy efficiency to reduce emissions and help people deal with rising fuel bills.

He pointed out that the rising use of coal and gas is not only pushing up emissions but fuel bills.

"If the Government ever needed a wake up call on greenhouse gas emissions here it is," he said. "In particular it is alarming to see emissions from homes rising when people are struggling to pay their energy bills.

"The Government must ensure that its policies on energy efficiency deliver at scale to reduce emissions and protect consumers."

Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director, agreed.

“The rise in fossil fuel use is bad news for the planet and cash-strapped families struggling to cope with the rocketing cost of gas and coal."

The Coalition has a number of policies designed to boost renewables and energy efficiency, including the "green deal" which will cover the upfront costs of improving home energy efficiency with money paid back from savings on bills.

But Louise Hutchins from Greenpeace warned that instead of slashing emissions and sparking a "green jobs bonanza", the UK was seeing progress stalling.

"The fact that the latest jump in figures is partly down to the cold snap in 2010 is no excuse, after all Sweden has higher energy costs and colder winters but their bills are lower because they have better insulated homes.

"To copy their success the Government's flagship green deal will need more resources, and that requires greater political ambition."